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Fluoride varnish is used predominantly on children, and some practices are now choosing to apply fluoride varnish to all children attending appointments. It is used predominantly on children, and some practices are now choosing to apply fluoride varnish to all children attending appointments. Advice from Public Health England recommends that all children aged 3 years and over have fluoride varnish applied at least twice a year. Informed consent must always be given by the patient or parent/guardian.
Can Adults Get Fluoride Varnish Treatment?
Absolutely. It is not only children who can benefit from fluoride varnish. While it may not be important for everyone to continue fluoride treatment into adulthood, patients who are more at risk of cavities and tooth sensitivity can benefit from regular in-office fluoride application.
Fluoride Varnish Application Best Practice
Fluoride varnish is applied directly onto the tooth surface with use of a small soft brush. It is recommended that fluoride varnish be applied to as many tooth surfaces as possible for the enamel to fully benefit.
During application the teeth should be kept dry. This is often achieved with the use of cotton wool rolls. Fluoride varnish treatment only takes a few minutes when done correctly. NHS guidance recommends that patients avoid eating or drinking for approximately 30 minutes after treatment. For best results, they should avoid hot and sticky foods for 4 hours and stick to a soft diet for the rest of the day.
Toothbrushing should be restricted to the morning after treatment. At this point the varnish should come off easily when brushed with toothpaste and any discolouration should also disappear.
Who Can Administer Fluoride Varnish Treatment?
Fluoride varnish treatment should only be administered professionally in a dental practice. Without this, patients are at risk of unsafe levels of fluoride and experiencing side effects. Treatment can be carried out by a dentist or under the prescription of a dentist by a dental therapist or hygienist. According to the General Dental Council (GDC), dental nurses can also carry out fluoride varnish application on prescription from a dentist or via a dental health programme.
Characteristics To Look Out For In Fluoride Varnish
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